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EDWARD JOHN CONCERN

Wigan

Edward John Concern at Wigan Casino: Circa 1969

Geoff Shepherd: Guitar. Alan Bamford: Sax. Dave Lawson: Drums.

George Monks: Vocal. Ian Hughes: Bass. Kevin Gough: Guitar.

Later: Tony Benfold: Bass:

"A few weeks before Tony Benfold joined the band a work collegue of his - Howard Walker came in to replace Kevin Gooch on lead guitar. However, Howard didn't last too long due to a differece of opinion with another band member. He later joined

Geoff Shepard: April 2012

Left: Drummer Dave Lawson.. and friends.

TonyCrane of the Merseybeats was the uncle of

Dave Lawson, former drummer in Edward John Concern.Marilyn Taylor: September 2011

"EJC got together in my parents club - The Matador in Pemberton, Wigan which at that time was closed because of a fire. There was Geoff with his 15 watt amp, George with a Shure mic' and myself with an alto sax borrowed from my brother. I later changed to a tenor. I think Dave Lawson must have been there but I'm not sure.

These lads must have started about 1966 with Ian Hughes on bass, probably all still at school and working the clubs and youth clubs of Wigan district playing mostly Tamla Motown and soul music. St John's Church Club and Comet Youth Club and the school halls were all all regular venues. Ian, the bass player resigned and went on to become an entertainment agent. Tony Benfold joined later as Bass player.

Memories were of St John's and Comet Youth Clubs and inspiration of 'I'll Always Love You" and 'This Old Heartof Mine' as Edward John Concern knew how to do these and many others well. Tony was replaced by Dave Keegan and it was then they formedTarus Bulbaabout 1968. George Monks of Edward John Concernalso finished with the band.

Alan Bamford the saxophone player went toLondon to study art and is now a wellestablished painter living between London and theDordognein France.

Tarus Bulba went on to play the heavier side and worked the student related venues but this didn’t last long.

Garry Hughes was approached by the group in 1969 to join them as bass player as Dave Keegan had decided to leave, Edward John Concern was revived with George back on lead vocal. The new group became:

The group folded up in about 1973 just as things werechanging around Wigan, The Casino was nowstarting the all-nighters with disco being the main theme.Most of the members Of EJC joined other acts. Humbug,Grass Roots, Hamilton Brown & The Great Expectations, Pokie and Third Avenue.

Many of the members ofthe groups later joined up again to form Ramsammy and along with many other groups and artists they performed at open air venues around Wigan raisingmoneyfor the charity 'Rock for Kids' in the mid-eighties.George Monks was in a duo called The Prize Guys and latterly pursued asuccessful solo career until retiring just a few years ago."

Garry Hughes: June 2010

"I joined Edward John Concern just before we changed to Tarus Bulba. Jeff Shepherd, Kev Gough, Dave Lawson and me. Then George Monks returned until I left and Gary Hughes joined. You can't beat live music!"